The following is written by Jenna Miller (she/her), an author and advocate living in the Twin Cities area. This poem is a reaction to seeing the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police’s response to the murder of Renee Good — titled “FOP Stands with ICE” — and ICE’s terrorizing of humans. Miller’s father is a retired police officer and the current president of MN FOP.
Did you see what I saw? She wasn’t mad at him, the wheels were turned away. Did you see what I saw? His gun was out and ready, his rage on full display. Father, I’m disappointed. You say we scramble for sound bites. You say we ignore due process. You say we condemn and vilify. I say we Noem when we see them. I say we’ve been here before. I say look in the mirror. Father, I’m disappointed. Kidnapping from cars and homes and jobs and churches and shops and restaurants and hearings and appointments and schools and daycares and parks and sidewalks and and and Who do you really serve and protect? What will you say when the dust settles? When will you wake up the reality? Where’s the warrant and due process now? Why do laws cease to matter when it’s you on our necks? How can you live with yourself? Father, I’m disappointed. Young naivety earned your love, my complacency kept us safe. Law and order trumps family, it’s been there all along I’m a threat to the regime now — the same kind of woman as her. This is my community, my home. Would you let them take me, too? Is humanity enough to justify a gun? Had it been me, would you have listened? Would your eyes open to learn the truth? Would you see things for what they are? I could be next. It’s not too late. It’s not too late. It’s not too— Father, I’m disappointed.